Music Theory
Sewanhaka High School
Department of Music
Instructor : Mr. Doherty (office number : 488–9627)
Email – cdoherty@sewanhaka.k12.ny.us
Purpose and Content
This class will focus on the development of the students knowledge of the
theoretical foundations of music and familiarity with the practices based on these
theories. We will begin with the basic foundations of musical notation, including note
names, rhythms, and meters and move sequentially to more complex concepts of
diatonic harmony and voice leading, along with more complex rhythm, metric notation,
key signatures and modes. As we progress, we will focus on the internalization of these
concepts through ear training and dictation, as well as the analysis of literature written
in larger scale forms such as binary, ternary, fugue, sonata-allegro and rondo form. This
course will also include a focus on student creativity in the form of student compositions.
These compositions will be transposed for various instruments and performed in the
classroom. Some other forms of music such as jazz, pop, show tunes will be investigated
as well. A unit will also cover music history and the major composers throughout the
17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
Student Responsibilities
Students will be responsible for completing all assignments distributed in class as
well as assignments distributed for homework. The students will also be responsible for
keeping up with any assigned reading or articles distributed in class and for covering the
material on their own if necessary as we progress on a weekly basis. Extra help can be
arranged as needed on an individual basis outside of class time.
Grading
1.) Class work and Participation Grade – 35% - Students must actively participate in
class discussion and complete any assignments given on time.
2.) Homework – 35% students must complete given assignments at home and turn them
in on time. Points will be deducted for each day that the assignment is late. Creative
projects will have specific criteria that must be fulfilled, however, a great deal of
emphasis will be placed on student creativity, originality and expression.
3.) Mid-Term / Final Exam – 30% - A Mid Term will be given on material covered in
the first half of the year, and the Final Exam will be in the form of a Final Project, a
composition written, harmonized using diatonic triads, and transposed for a quartet of
instruments to be performed in class (preferably by the class members).
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MUSIC
THEORY.
Parent signature
Student signature
Emergency phone numbers where parent or guardian can be contacted